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Softball Ranked No. 3 In USA Today/NFCA Preseason Top-25

STANFORD, Calif. - Stanford University softball checks in at No. 3 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Top 25 Poll released this morning, as voted by 27 Division I softball coaches representing all areas around the country.

The Cardinal will battle 11 teams this season currently ranked in the top-25, while competing in arguably the strongest conference in the country. Five other Pac-10 schools are ranked in the nation's top-10, with defending champion Arizona edging UCLA for the top spot in the poll. No. 5 California, No. 8 Arizona State and No. 9 Washington are also ranked in the top-10, with Oregon State at No. 18. Stanford's non-conference schedule also features No. 10 Cal State Fullerton, No. 16 Fresno State, No. 19 Pacific, No. 23 San Diego State and No. 24 Massachusetts.

Stanford took a giant step forward last season in solidifying their status as perennial national championship contenders. The 2001 squad recorded the best single-season in Cardinal softball history, finishing with a program-best 54-16-1 overall record and making its first appearance at the Women's College World Series, where they finished 2-2. Stanford closed out the season ranked third in the nation and spent five weeks at No. 3, which represented the highest ranking in school history. The women advanced to Oklahoma City by going 4-1 at the Stanford Regional, the first time an NCAA Regional had been played on The Farm.

Stanford will open its season with a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 2, at home against geographical rival Santa Clara at 12 p.m. The Cardinal are then on the road for the next four weeks, competing in four of the nation's most prestigious tournaments: The Campbell/Cartier Classic (Feb. 15-17), NFCA Leadoff Classic (Feb. 22-24), Red Desert Classic (Mar. 1-3) and Speedline Invitational (Mar. 7-10).